This is not the first time that Carey, who has worked with original Idol judge Randy Jackson, has been rumored to be in the running for a judging gig on a Fox singing competition series. Simon Cowell reportedly pursued Carey for The X Factor judging panel for Season 1 and she was rumored to be in the mix for Season 2 after Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger were fired.

Earlier this week, E! reported that Idol alum Adam Lambert was also in talks to join Idol as a judge.Do you think Mariah Carey has what it takes to help pick the next American Idol?American Idol returns in January on Fox.